Now we can go forward

Police contract approval ends divisive, nasty chapter in Stockton

With the overwhelming approval of a new contract by Stockton's police union last week and pro forma approval by the City Council expected Tuesday, the era of city-union name-calling officially comes to an end.

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Posted Dec. 10, 2012 at 12:01 AM

Posted Dec. 10, 2012 at 12:01 AM

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With the overwhelming approval of a new contract by Stockton's police union last week and pro forma approval by the City Council expected Tuesday, the era of city-union name-calling officially comes to an end.

We hope.

It's been a long, nasty, bitter time since the city and all its worker groups were rowing together. It looks like that's about to happen.

By a 3-to-1 margin, officers ratified a contract most believe not only settles lawsuits each side filed against the other but also could stanch the hemorrhage of experienced officers from the city. With every homicide - and there have been a record 69 this year after a fatal drive-by shooting Sunday - the need for experienced cops with a deep knowledge of the city grows more apparent.

The new contract also puts to rest a childish dispute over a house the union bought next door to City Manager Bob Deis' house. He called it harassment; union officials called it an investment. We leave it to readers to pick sides.

Actually, we need to stop picking sides. Stocktonians are all in this together and what happens going forward depends greatly on cooperation, compromise and patience by all - City Hall officials, the council, city employees and city residents.

It's hard to say what finally brought the city and police union together, but a change of union leadership in August did seem to signal a new tone.

Police Sgt. Kathryn Nance became president of the Stockton Police Officers Association, replacing a more combative Officer Steve Leonesio. He'd been SPOA president since 2008, about the time city finances went into a steep decline.

Nance declared her presidency would put "a new face" on the union that possibly "can change the dynamic."

At the time, we wished Nance the best because in our view, there were no bad people in this dispute; only people who see things differently. That remains our view.

Good people can compromise for the greater good if they try hard enough and if they believe everyone gives up something and gets something. It seems they did.

Deis certainly is singing the union's praises.

"I'm extremely proud of them coming together and giving personally to help Stockton get through these tough times," he said.

"I hope the community appreciates what these employees have given."

That's a far cry from early bouts of name-calling from both sides.

This doesn't change the reality of the tough fight the city faces in bankruptcy court.

But with all nine city unions finally lined up, city fratricide ends and Stockton can present a united front against the numerous creditors waiting in court to pounce.